The effect of temperature on the development rate, growth and survival of an East Texas population of Psorophora columbiae was studied by rearing immature mosquitoes at ten constant temperatures: 16, 19, 22, 26, 29, 32, 34, 35, 36 and 39C. The relationship between, development and temperature was described using a recently developed model based on chemical kinetics. Development rates increased with increasing temperature up to a peak at 34C. At this temperature, development from eclosion to 50% adult emergence required only 4.5 days. Increases in temperature above 34C resulted in a decrease in the development rate. The development rate model predicted the observed development rates not only along the linear region at mid-range temperatures, but also along the nonlinear region at high temperatures with a high degree of accuracy (rz = 0.99). A significant increase in size, as indicated by head capsule width measurements, was seen with decreasing temperature. This trend was most evident in the 4th larval instar where mean widths ranged from 1.192 mm at 36C to 1.382 mm at 19C. Survival from eclosion to emergence was highest in the range from 26C (87%) to 34C (93%). Above and below this range, survival dropped dramatically to 1% at 39C and 34% at 16C.
